The 173rd Carnaross dairy sale took place at Carnaross Mart, Co. Meath during the week with over 70 head of stock on offer.

The sale saw 66 freshly-calved cows and heifers go through the ring, as well as five springing heifers.

The demand for high-quality heifers ready to head straight to the parlour remains evident, as fierce bidding saw a top price of €5,800 achieved twice.

Carnaross dairy sale

€5,800 was first achieved by Ballivor Miura Honey, an October-2023-born cow who calved down in late September.

The GP classified cow was sired by Go-Farm Miura ET and came from Ballivor Republic Honey (GP84).

In her second lactation, the dam produced 9,578kg of milk at 4.4% fat and 4% protein, equating to a total of 804kg milk solids.

The freshly-calved cow herself produced 8,074kg of milk at 3.92% fat and 3.59% protein in her first lactation last year.

Her economic breeding index (EBI) is worth €110, broken into a €66 milk sub-index and a €33 fertility sub-index.

Croagh Portea 44 also went under the hammer for €5,800 on the day.

The March-2024 born animal calved down for the first time in early September this year.

She is projected to produce 8,696kg of milk 3.56% and 3.31% protein this year.

She was sired by Croagh Arcade and came from Croagh Portea 21 (EX90), who produced 8,941kg of milk at 4.43% fat and 3.66% protein in her fourth lactation last year.

The heifer has an EBI of €24, with a milk sub-index of €18 and a fertility sub-index of €6.

Some other top prices on the day included:

€5,200 for Sprucegrove Reward O Kallie Red, a September-2024-born heifer who calved just over a week ago. Her dam produced 11,741kg of milk at 3.47% fat and 3.08% protein in her first lactation;
€4,900 for Ballivor Prince-ET Honey, an October-2024-born heifer who calved down the first week of October. Her dam produced 9,578kg of milk at 4.4% fat and 4% protein in her second lactation;
€4,800 for Ballivor Miura Elizabeth (GP82), a September-2023-born cow who calved down the first week of October. She produced 7,656kg of milk at 4.35% fat and 3.5% protein in her first lactation.

Overall, 28 animals sold in excess of €3,000 on the day, while a further 18 animals sold in excess of €4,000.

The overall sale ended up averaging €3,620 by the end of the day.